Russian — English Translation

Literary & Creative | fiction + non-fiction

Russian - English Translation
Editing Translated Text
Translation Assessment
Archaeology of Eurasia (rock art, Scythian Animal Style)
History
LitRPG
Spirituality (Mind, body, spirit)
Literary translation: fiction + non-fiction
Sample translations can be viewed in the portfolio section below by clicking on the image of each title. Alternatively, contact me to request samples by email.
Please be advised that I do not do free test translations. I am happy to complete a test translation charged at my standard rate of £0.15 per word.
Experience:
- More than 20 books translated
- 21 years translating & editing from Russian to English
  10 years living in Russia
  6 years working as an interpreter in the Altai Republic in the field of bio-cultural preservation
- Degree in Russian literature, language & translation (Modern & Medieval) from Cambridge University
Please note that fee for translation is based on many different factors (speed, complexity etc) and is estimated per individual project. The rates shown here are meant as a guide.
Standard translation rate
GBP 0.15 p/word
Literary Translation
GBP 0.18 p/word (speed approx. 1,500 words per day)
Editing Translated text
GBP £45 p/hour or 1,000 words
Minimum Charge £40

“The level of communication between us and the results of the translation work were outstanding. Ms Dobson is flexible and demonstrates high efficiency and levels of tact when working with an editor and discussing suggested changes. She was exceptionally diligent in fact-checking and referencing original sources.”

— Andrey Makarov (history book)

Featured Projects

Click on book cover image to learn more

Gold of the Great Steppe Exhibition
Scythian Art
Click image to open — Gold of the Great Steppe Exhibition Scythian Art Click image to open

Spiritual Wisdom from the Altai Mountains
Non-fiction, ethnography
Click image to open — Spiritual Wisdom from the Altai Mountains Non-fiction, ethnography Click image to open

At The Source by Vladimir Sangi
Fiction, Nivkh literature
Click image to open — At The Source by Vladimir Sangi Fiction, Nivkh literature Click image to open

Portfolio

Click on cover image to read sample translation (Russian-English parallel text)

At the Source
Short story
Click image for sample — At the Source Short story Click image for sample

Spiritual Wisdom
Non-fiction, ethnography
Click image for sample — Spiritual Wisdom Non-fiction, ethnography Click image for sample

Last of the Shor Shamans
Anthropology — Last of the Shor Shamans Anthropology

Gold of the Great Steppe
Exhibition Publication
Click image for sample — Gold of the Great Steppe Exhibition Publication Click image for sample

Archaeology & Anthropology of Eurasia
Academic Journal — Archaeology & Anthropology of Eurasia Academic Journal

Treyakov Gallery Magazine
Articles on Art History — Treyakov Gallery Magazine Articles on Art History

Hidden Siberia Magazine
Journalistic articles — Hidden Siberia Magazine Journalistic articles

'Zima' Magazine
Journalistic articles — 'Zima' Magazine Journalistic articles

The Pathologist by A. Yusifzade
Fiction — The Pathologist by A. Yusifzade Fiction

The Last Faith by K. Bagisbayev
Non-fiction, popular philosophy — The Last Faith by K. Bagisbayev Non-fiction, popular philosophy

Tufti the Priestess by V. Zeland
Popular philosophy — Tufti the Priestess by V. Zeland Popular philosophy

Transurfing in 78 Days by V. Zeland
Popular philosophy — Transurfing in 78 Days by V. Zeland Popular philosophy

Transurfing Reality series by V. Zeland
Popular Philosophy — Transurfing Reality series by V. Zeland Popular Philosophy

An Astrologer's Notes by T. Borsch
Astrology (Mind, body, spirit) — An Astrologer's Notes by T. Borsch Astrology (Mind, body, spirit)

Having had the opportunity to travel in the Altai Region with Joanna Dobson as our translator, I cannot recommend her highly enough. Joanna not only did an excellent job of translating complex topics including the cosmology of the Altai people, she helped with trip logistics, was compassionate when the going got tough and showed herself to be an accomplished horsewoman on our three-day horse trek into the high-country to see and experience the sacred mountain of the Altai people.

Jodi Fredini, photographer
Joanna’s skillful and precise translation of the Russian articles written by Prs. Samashev and Toleubayev were a real contribution and a gift to this catalogue "Gold of the Great Steppe." So often it is almost impossible to capture both the importance of these national treasures from Kazakhstan as well as the aesthetic pleasure of reading precise, accurate and pleasing text.

Professor Claudia Chang
Joanna Dobson's excellent English translation of the Arbachakov's work brings to a wider international audience a fascinating glimpse into the rapidly disappearing traditional world of the Shor Mountain people.

Frederick Lundahl, retired American Diplomat and specialist on Central Asia and post Soviet Union countries
Joanna edited my translation, and it was an excellent experience. She was able to understand the deeper meaning of the spiritual text as if it were her native tongue. Joanna’s insights and suggestions greatly improved the quality of the translation.

A Gerasymvhuk, Radiant Books
The level of communication between us and the results of the translation work were outstanding. Ms Dobson is flexible and demonstrates high efficiency and levels of tact when working with an editor and discussing suggested changes. She was exceptionally diligent in fact-checking and referencing original sources.

Andrey Makarov (History book)
Joanna is an inspired intermediary, A translator who delves into and interprets the sacred by becoming a hollow bone, open to the mysticism and magic that is language.

Vinny Ferrau, traveller & poet
We contracted Joanna to translate a work of fiction by a native Nivkh writer. Cultural sensitivity really stood out in our collaboration. It is rare to find a person who is to this degree careful and considerate of what might seem minor elements of culture.

A Makarov (short story)
I am grateful to you for your professional approach, as well as the personal interest you showed in the materials, your deep consideration of the text and study of terminology,

Yulia Tulinova, CEO & Cofounder Apriori Translation Company
Joanna is an extremely diligent translator with an excellent ability to convey the text in a natural manner. Joanna has worked on many marketing related articles which are always a pleasure to read. She is an asset to our organisation.

Kiran Adatia, Language Reach translation Agency
The main thing that I would like to mention: Joanna's desire to thoroughly understand the subject of translation, to get to the core of technical terms, as well as to add a certain style to the final text.

Sergei Malafievsky, CEO
I was lucky enough to be recommended Joanna when looking for a translator for ‘A Different Sky’ – the English-language version of Hidden Siberia Magazine, which portrays the real Siberia. I was deeply impressed with Joanna's work. She is a consummate professional, a brilliant translator and a gifted writer

Natalya Snigireva, Project Manager at IC&M Russia
I selected Joanna out of 20 potential candidates to translate a popular philosophy book from Russian to English. The result was a high quality and timely translation of a complex philosophical book written in spoken Russian. Joanna managed to retain the flow, character and feel of the original book while naturally adapting it to English language audience.

Alanbek Yussupov, Head of Release and Supply Management at a private investment bank
Joanna has translated quite a demanding project from Russian into English for me perfectly and on time. None of the other 17 translators who bid for the job could have done it better, even judging by their sample tests

Tanya Smith, English-Russian translator
I am grateful to Joanna for her fastidious approach. Thanks to her perfect translation, my novel retained its precise original meaning, style and tone.

Aysel Musayeva Yusifzade
Joanna’s expertise as a writing coach has been transformative for me. Under her editorial and coaching guidance, I've not only crafted opening chapters for my memoir but have also seen them recognised, having been longlisted for a prize and gaining encouraging attention from two literary agents.

Dr Maxine Meju, junior doctor
Joanna is meticulous and her editing is spot on. She really pulled together some complex concepts. She's awesome. Quality, high-standards, and flexibility all from one experienced person.

Joseph Robinson
My story was feeling very flat, and so was the author. Imagine my delight when Joanna launched into our session with strong new ideas to 'unstick' me and my story. One hour later I was buzzing with renewed enthusiasm for a story I had loved at the outset and more particularly a plan of action to move forward with it.

Kate Cleaver, Journalist
Joanna was extremely supportive, valuing the work I had already completed and continually checked her understanding of what I wanted to say. Her guidance has enabled me to be more confident and I have been able to use the strategies she suggested in other parts of my work.

Lesley Cresswell, Resolute Books (poetry anthology)

Item 1 of 18

Non-Fiction

The Last of the Shor Shamans by Alexander Arbachakov;
Spiritual Wisdom from the Altai Mountains by N. Shodoev;
The Last Faith by Karmak Bagisbayev;
An Astrologer’s Notes by Tatiana Borsch;
Reality Transurfing: Steps I-V by Vadim Zeland;
Transurfing in 78 Days: A Practical Course in Creating Your Own Reality by Vadim Zeland;
Tufti the Priestess, by Vadim Zeland
Cosmoplanetary Integration (chapters by Novosibirsk-based academics on the theme of the Noosphere in scientific research);
Cosmic Guidance for the Leader by Helena Roerich, Radiant Books;
Sakhalin, a book on the early explorers of Sakhalin Island, to be published autumn 2024.

Fiction

The Pathologist by Aysel Yusifzade;
At the Source (У истока Туми) by Vladimir Sangi;
Akhiva And Rachel by Gertz Davydov;
Priestess Itfut by Vadim Zeland;
Crysalis series, Litworld Publishers, St.Petersburg;
The Other Side by Samira Dendubaeva (pen name Janet Norton).

Arts & Media

Gold of the Great Steppe Exhibition Catalogue, Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge;
Tretyakov Gallery Magazine (issue 4 (69) 2020;
The Calvert Journal cultural interest articles;
Inflight Magazine Articles;
Zima Magazine, based in London;
A Different Sky, Hidden Siberia Magazine;
Booklets for St.Seraphim’s Trust;
Axmor Software development company;
Tourists and Pilgrims episode of Standing on Sacred Ground film series;
The Pines of Askat An Altai conservation Film;
Commercial website for Russian stoves http://natopil.ru;
Website for Ukrainian interpreter A Klevansky

Russian — English Translation

Literary & Creative | fiction + non-fiction

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Featured Projects

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Altai Pilgrim